It was a frigid December evening as I remember it now, and I was locked away in my college dorm. I wanted to go, there was no doubt in my mind about that, but instead of making my way downstairs I nervously paced the hallways.

In a dimly lit room, only a few miles down the road, a large group of students gathered together ready to enjoy the show. It was open mic night, and I had been preparing for the opportunity for weeks.

I played guitar for friends around the dorm, but playing in front of a group of strangers was something totally different. I wanted to be there, to play my song for the group, but I just couldn't do it.

As I took one step forward and many more steps back, one of my friends ran by me towards the elevators. I yelled to him and asked why he was in such a rush.

"Open mic night. I'm on in five minutes!"

I walked back to my room and looked out the window. A lone street light made out the shape of my friend running through the snow to Union. How I wished it was me that was running to the show.

Fear Sets In
I hesitated every time I reached the elevators. I was afraid to go through with it. I was afraid of what might happen in front of an audience. What if I messed up? What if I forgot what to play?

After what seemed like an eternity I finally got the courage up to play. I grabbed my guitar, and without another pause I was out the door and into the snow-covered street. A small smile came over my face when I saw the footprints of my friend in the snow. I was following in his confident footsteps.

I can't tell you how excited I was. Finally, after waiting all semester, I would get my chance to play in front of a real crowd. It would be a small dream come true.

I burst through the doors to the sound of applause and cheers from down the corridor. I wondered if it was my friend who was garnering all of the positive feedback after his performance.

Loss of Opportunity
I ran down the hallway, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation, and flew around the corner ready to sign in. Instead, I met with a an old chalkboard awkwardly hanging from a microphone stand. The crowd died down as I read the words on the board.

My heart sunk to the floor. All of the excitement that was running through my veins vanished as regret swept in as a replacement. No one would hear my song. I had missed my window of opportunity.

I thought to myself, "If only I could go back in time! I would have joined my friend in an instant."

But I couldn't go back in time. I had to face the facts. My chance to play had come and gone, never to return (at least for another year). I walked back home, barely noticing the wind and snow whipping up all around me, and tried to think about something else. What a night . . .

I learned my lesson that night. When I get the chance to do something I have always wanted to do, just do it. There is no telling how quickly the opportunity will disappear.

What About You?
Think about your goals and desires. You may have the chance to act on them now, but what about tomorrow? What if things change making it impossible for you to do the things you have always wanted to do?

I can tell you what will happen. Regret. You will wish, just as I did years ago, that you could go back in time and do it all differently. You can't go back. All you can do is take advantage of what you have in front of you right now, at this moment.

You never know when you'll lose the chance to reach your goals. But you can know one thing with absolute certainty - if you hesitate now, you will pay for it later.

Today is the day to begin. I know how fear can hold you back from getting the things you really want, but you can overcome that fear. It all begins with a single step in the right direction.

Reprinted with permission from Jason Gracia's FREE, Motivation123 Newsletter. You can subscribe to his newsletter and receive a complimentary Motivation Idea-Kit by visiting: www.motivation123.com.